Chevrolet Spark - Owners report

harishnayak · 12th April 2010, 22:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by Utopian

OMG!! You should certainly go for cars that have tank like build quality from mow on. All of your beauties have suffered some mishaps, courtesy the ravaging traffic of the capital.
Nice seat covers, I must say.
The central instrument cluster in the Vista and the Spark still looks a bit queer. Cost cutting certainly takes a toll on the ergonomics.

I kind of agree on this for my spark and alto but it's totally the other way round for my 800 ( 1,20,000 + and going strog )and esteem ( 80 k done and rusting in peace ) which have never met with any accidents.

Got the seat covers for rs 2500. Talking about the center cluster , i liked it when i test drove this car , it looked like that of some NASA plane

.

Utopian · 12th April 2010, 22:58

NASA plane.

I drove my relative's Vista a few months back. It was quite eerie to look at the central speedo time and again. Furthermore, my dad could easily make out the speed I was doing.

harishnayak · 13th April 2010, 04:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by Utopian

NASA plane.

I drove my relative's Vista a few months back. It was quite eerie to look at the central speedo time and again. Furthermore, my dad could easily make out the speed I was doing.

I think i worded it wrongly ( NASA place

) , i meant cockpit design. I agree with the fact that all passengers can see the speed and also the fuel gauge

which is embarrasing at times.

harishnayak · 13th April 2010, 10:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by harishnayak

@H14 - Congrats on you new buy.

The first 14000 kms were smooth and that is when we decided to do a Delhi - Udaipur - Mumbai - goa - Karnataka - Mumbai - Indore - Delhi trip. Soon after decided to do this trip i noticed slight squeaking noise while braking ( this was in the winters in Nov'08 ).

I took the car to Vikas motors moti nagar from where i bought it for the 15 k 3rd free service and asked the guy to check the noise while braking. I don't think he was very well equipped cos he directly told me that it would be replaced with new ones and they were not under warranty too. IMO the noise was due to the winters as this noise used to come only during Delhi's early morning time. Since he told me that it had to be replaced i got a little bit wary but got it done as we had to go for a real loooong trip.

This service set me back by about 2K. I think the brake pads costed around Rs 1400 ( with labour )

The very next day was when we had planned the looong trip. Here's the TL and performance report etc - http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/travel...lhi-spark.html

Hope everyone would enjoy it.

h14 · 13th April 2010, 14:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by harishnayak

I agree with the fact that all passengers can see the speed and also the fuel gauge

which is embarrasing at times.

Well in my case, the LPG gauge is not visible to anyone else except the driver. I'm safe in that regard.

kkg · 13th April 2010, 23:28

Hi Harish,

I am just back from shimla and would like to share one thing that i noticed there.
Its raining Sparks in the hills, all colors, all variants, many of them with alloys. It was so good to see that.I wonder why it has become the favorite over there. Any idea??

One more thing,the other car that rules the hills these days is ALTO. And you have both of them in your garage. Very GOOD.

harishnayak · 14th April 2010, 07:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by h14

Well in my case, the LPG gauge is not visible to anyone else except the driver. I'm safe in that regard.

Haha how true

Quote:

Originally Posted by kkg

Hi Harish,

I am just back from shimla and would like to share one thing that i noticed there.
Its raining Sparks in the hills, all colors, all variants, many of them with alloys. It was so good to see that.I wonder why it has become the favorite over there. Any idea??

One more thing,the other car that rules the hills these days is ALTO. And you have both of them in your garage. Very GOOD.

Well i only knew about alto being the hot favourite in the mountains and if you've noticed most of them are NON-AC altos as the weather is generally cold and alto is a high mileage car thus giving higher revenue.

Yup lucky to have both those rides in my garage.

harishnayak · 18th April 2010, 00:34

I think the most common problem in spark is the brake pads..i've got mine changed twice already and when it comes to my alto i've not even got the hints of changing it in 81 k kms so far.

Has anyone faced the same issues with spark?

kkg · 19th April 2010, 15:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by harishnayak

I think the most common problem in spark is the brake pads..i've got mine changed twice already and when it comes to my alto i've not even got the hints of changing it in 81 k kms so far.

Has anyone faced the same issues with spark?

Yeah may be you are right. I got them changed at 20000 kms service and now the 40000 kms service is due shortly, i have a feeling the people at GM will ask me to change those again.

I remember last time the brake feel was alright but service advisor told me to change the pads as not changing them will damage the disc pad itself. But now i think i shouldn't have gone for it. Even now the brake feel is quite good after 20000 kms with new pads.

harishnayak · 19th April 2010, 15:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by kkg

Yeah may be you are right. I got them changed at 20000 kms service and now the 40000 kms service is due shortly, i have a feeling the people at GM will ask me to change those again.

I remember last time the brake feel was alright but service advisor told me to change the pads as not changing them will damage the disc pad itself. But now i think i shouldn't have gone for it. Even now the brake feel is quite good after 20000 kms with new pads.

You're right dude..i think the problem is more with the advisors than the vehicle itself. I guess we have to take some stand against them.

harishnayak · 25th April 2010, 02:11

I'm just wondering if i should get the alloys silver lipped by getting the centre portion painted in black.

Not sure where to get this done in Delhi and if it's effective enough. Also planning to get the black matte effect on the rear lights to give the car a complete black deadly look.

Can anyone help me with this..maybe PS my car. I can give fresh photos from different angles if required.

harishnayak · 7th May 2010, 06:22

Wishing my Sparky Many happy returns of the day on her 2nd B'day today.

I'll be gifting you with new shoes soon. Way to go girl.

quadra · 26th May 2010, 02:25

Nice writeup - I own a spark too

I really liked these alloys

harishnayak · 26th May 2010, 23:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by quadra

Nice writeup - I own a spark too

I really liked these alloys

Good one there but i kinda like the ICE one shown in the picture. Just spent Rs 8500 last week on the clutch and AC job along with regular service , the tyre change is still due so change of alloys is kind of out of agenda for a while now.

Will give a detailed report on the expenses done this time as it was huge money spent this time with very little satisfaction.

quadra · 27th May 2010, 00:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by harishnayak

Good one there but i kinda like the ICE one shown in the picture. Just spent Rs 8500 last week on the clutch and AC job along with regular service , the tyre change is still due so change of alloys is kind of out of agenda for a while now.

Will give a detailed report on the expenses done this time as it was huge money spent this time with very little satisfaction.

Do share some details on the ICE of your spark as well. It would surely be helpful for other spark owners (new / old)

12th April 2010, 22:58	#32
Utopian BHPian Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: New Delhi Posts: 603 Thanked: 123 Times	NASA plane. I drove my relative's Vista a few months back. It was quite eerie to look at the central speedo time and again. Furthermore, my dad could easily make out the speed I was doing.
	() Thanks

13th April 2010, 23:28	#36
kkg BHPian Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: India,New Delhi Posts: 318 Thanked: 115 Times View My Garage	Hi Harish, I am just back from shimla and would like to share one thing that i noticed there. Its raining Sparks in the hills, all colors, all variants, many of them with alloys. It was so good to see that.I wonder why it has become the favorite over there. Any idea?? One more thing,the other car that rules the hills these days is ALTO. And you have both of them in your garage. Very GOOD.
	() Thanks

18th April 2010, 00:34	#38
harishnayak Senior - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: DELHI Posts: 1,396 Thanked: 125 Times	I think the most common problem in spark is the brake pads..i've got mine changed twice already and when it comes to my alto i've not even got the hints of changing it in 81 k kms so far. Has anyone faced the same issues with spark?
	() Thanks

25th April 2010, 02:11	#41
harishnayak Senior - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: DELHI Posts: 1,396 Thanked: 125 Times	I'm just wondering if i should get the alloys silver lipped by getting the centre portion painted in black. Not sure where to get this done in Delhi and if it's effective enough. Also planning to get the black matte effect on the rear lights to give the car a complete black deadly look. Can anyone help me with this..maybe PS my car. I can give fresh photos from different angles if required.
	() Thanks

7th May 2010, 06:22	#42
harishnayak Senior - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: DELHI Posts: 1,396 Thanked: 125 Times	Wishing my Sparky Many happy returns of the day on her 2nd B'day today. I'll be gifting you with new shoes soon. Way to go girl.
	() Thanks

26th May 2010, 02:25	#43
quadra BHPian Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Blore Posts: 552 Thanked: 68 Times	Nice writeup - I own a spark too I really liked these alloys Attached Thumbnails Last edited by quadra : 26th May 2010 at 02:38.
	() Thanks